Boonville, Ind.-Hutchinson Jewelers in Boonville, Indiana, has closed its doors after nearly 70 years in business as its owners prepare to retire.
Ralph Hutchinson, a World War II and Korean War veteran with a penchant for watches, and his wife, Marion, opened the store in 1955.
He made local news in 2017, sharing the story of the store’s founding and why he’s still repairing watches at the age of 94.
The jeweller also has his own brand of watches, Hutchinson Watches, which are made in the United States with Swiss movements.
Ralph eventually passed the business on to his son, Roger Hutchinson, and his wife, Judy, who are now ready to retire.
“We have enjoyed serving the community all these years,” they say on the store’s website.The jeweller also shared a Facebook post announcing the store’s closure, prompting generations of customers to send their well wishes and fond memories.
Mr Hutchinson trusted me to pay for a mother’s ring for my sweet mum. I had no job, just a generous allowance, but he let me have it. I never forgot that,” she said, noting that she made many purchases in the years that followed.The store held a retirement sale in the weeks leading up to its last day on 28 February.
However, Roger is still working behind the scenes, finishing up repairs left by her loyal customers.”It’s hard to say ‘no’ to our customers who have become our friends,” the store said in a Facebook post. “Retirement is in sight, but we still have a bit to do.”
